Sudanese Army Welcomes Defector from Rapid Support Forces Amid Ongoing Conflict
On June 22, Ali Rizkallah, a former commander in Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), was appointed to the Sudanese army after defecting, marking a significant shift in the country’s protracted conflict. The army-affiliated government hailed the move as a strategic gain, while survivors of RSF violence expressed outrage over the perceived lack of accountability for alleged atrocities.
Why is Rizkallah’s Defection Significant?
Rizkallah, known as “al-Savannah,” led RSF operations in Darfur, a region plagued by violence since the 2023 conflict between the RSF and Sudan’s regular army. His defection follows a series of high-level swaps between the two groups, which analysts say are reshaping the battlefield. According to a Reuters report, the Sudanese military has been leveraging internal RSF divisions to weaken its rival, particularly targeting tribal tensions within the RSF’s Arab Rizeigat tribe.
“I can’t forgive them because of what I saw face to face,” said Halima Ismail, a Darfur resident who survived an RSF attack in 2024. She described forces under Rizkallah’s command firing into the air during an assault, forcing her and her children to the ground. “You can see the scars on my arms, all the way down my legs,” she added.
What Are the Implications for Justice in Darfur?
The RSF has been accused of widespread atrocities, including mass killings, sexual violence, and looting. A 2024 Reuters documentary highlighted the group’s role in the assault on al-Fashir, a city in Darfur. Despite these allegations, Rizkallah and other defectors now hold positions of power, raising concerns about impunity.
“This issue can’t be dealt with piecemeal — it needs transitional justice,” said Mohamed Salaheldin, a member of the activist group Emergency Lawyers. However, legal avenues remain limited. A trader in Kordofan, who spoke on condition of anonymity, plans to file a lawsuit under Sudan’s sharia law system over alleged looting by RSF forces. “What happened is the responsibility of Savannah, the RSF, and the army that did not protect us,” he said.
How Are Ethnic Tensions Shaping the Conflict?
The Sudanese army’s strategy hinges on exploiting ethnic divisions within the RSF. Senior RSF commanders, many from the Arab Rizeigat tribe, have faced internal strife following clashes with army-aligned groups. For example, an RSF raid on the hometown of army commander Musa Hilal earlier this year intensified tensions between rival clans, including those led by Rizkallah and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti.
Emadeddin Badi, a senior fellow at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, noted that the army’s approach risks underestimating social repercussions. “There’s a military rationale, but the social repercussions are probably underappreciated by the armed forces,” he said.
What Is the Human Cost of the Conflict?
Sudan’s civil war has killed hundreds of thousands, displaced millions, and triggered a humanitarian crisis. Darfur, a RSF stronghold, has seen some of the worst violence. According to the United Nations, over 10 million people in Sudan require aid, with famine and disease spreading rapidly.
Survivors like Ismail continue to face trauma. “I’ve been forced to flee multiple times as the RSF raided villages around al-Fashir,” she said. “I saw women raped in front of me and was whipped by RSF fighters.”
What Happens Next in the Conflict?
Analysts suggest the army’s focus on defections could shift the balance of power, but it may also deepen divisions. The RSF, which has denied committing atrocities, has not commented on Rizkallah’s new role. Meanwhile, calls for accountability persist. Emergency Lawyers has documented 243 cases against alleged RSF collaborators, but prosecutions remain rare amid ongoing violence.
“The international community must pressure both sides to prioritize justice and humanitarian aid,” said Salaheldin. “Without accountability, the cycle of violence will continue.”